On-The-Fly Bruins Notebook: 2/6/2010

By Mike Miccoli, Boston Bruins correspondent

Photo courtesy of Flickr - Credit: }-{enry

The new magic number for the Boston Bruins is one–one win needed to end the B’s current losing streak, or one loss to tie the streak set in the 1924-25 season for longest without a win. Ouch. Few could imagine a losing streak so treacherous that an 85-year old record could be topped back when the season first started but on Saturday, the Bruins came that much closer after falling to the Vancouver Canucks, 3-2 in a shootout.

Another come-from-behind win for Boston’s opponents replicating Thursday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens where the B’s lost their two-goal lead only to lose the game in a shootout. Even worse, the Bruins have been playing the past few games with a healthy offense. Still, the Bruins haven’t won a home game since the Winter Classic and haven’t netted more then two goals since January 16 (a ten-game span), a 4-3 shootout loss against the Los Angeles Kings.

Where’s the production?

After three straight games of 40 or more shots on goal, the Bruins offense were held helpless beyond two tallies. Zdeno Chara’s back-door tip-in opened the scoring on the first power play of the night while Michael Ryder followed suit on another tip-in and another power play. Vancouver’s netminder Roberto Luongo showed Boston why he’s still considered one of the best goalies in the NHL today stopping 41 of 43 shots. The best breaks came from Ryder’s line, paired as usual with David Krejci and Blake Wheeler, and when on the power play. The Bruins started off the game on fire, killing three straight penalties and scoring on their first two power play chances but from there, the Canucks were winning the open-ice battles and dominating even strength play. After the game, Milan Lucic and Ryder spoke about Boston’s chances as well as the positives from the game.

Boychuk goes down

Add another mark on the Bruins injuries this season. Defenseman Johnny Boychuk took a vicious slap shot to the upper left side of his face causing him to bleed onto the ice. Scary moment for Boston as it was initially unclear exactly where the puck had hit the rookie. Canucks forward Alex Burrows even dropped to the ice to try and assist Boychuk after seeing the impact taken on the defenseman. The TD Garden fell silent for the moments following the injury but then later gave Boychuk and standing ovation as he was being carried off the ice by Bruins trainer Don Del Negro. Boychuk did not return to the game and the Bruins did not give any further information on the severity of the injury other than the tidbit that he will not be traveling with the team to Montreal on Sunday.

Tuukka Time for one more time

Making back-to-back starts, Rask was unable to secure the win in a shootout for the second straight game. Though brilliant for most of the game and making highlight-reel stops in the third period, the Bruins offense couldn’t support their young goalie to pick the win. Rask stopped 29 of 31 shots in regulation before letting in the only goal of the shootout from Pavol Demitra. The goalie looked composed and calm in the net, shedding any rookie shakes that anyone might have expected. After the game, Rask talks about successes and opportunities taken away from the game.

Ference close to returning?

Andrew Ference was on the ice for warmups prior to Saturday’s game signaling that he’s close to making a return to the already depleted Bruins blue line. With Mark Stuart now on the IR, a much-needed spot opens up for Ference on the roster, especially now that Boychuk could potentially miss some action from the day’s injury. Boston coach Claude Julien even referenced his return during a pre-game press brief. ”He’s coming along and I think he’s getting better,” said Julien. Hopefully we’ll see him back soon.” Ference has been out with a groin injury since January 5–his last game coming against the Ottawa Senators.

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